Aliyan is a curious and ambitious student passionate about solving the world's biggest problems, particularly climate change. His work focuses on the numerous applications of microalgae, which he studies through a laboratory he created in his basement. He has earned numerous awards for this work at the Canada-Wide Science Fair and in the Governor-General's Innovation Competition.

Aliyan is an avid percussionist trained in both Eastern and Western percussive traditions. He is also an active volunteer in his Ismaili Muslim community.

As an Ellison Scholar, Aliyan looks forward to collaborating with leading researchers on projects in climate change and food security, as well as honing his entrepreneurship skills with the goal of entering the startup world after university.